Systems and methods for conveying, anesthetizing, and killing poultry

ABSTRACT

In accordance with example embodiment, a system may include a supply unit, a first transfer unit, a second transfer unit, and a gas chamber. In example embodiments, the supply unit may include a plurality of compartments and each compartment may have a moving device configured to move contents of the compartment from a first end of the compartment to a second end of the compartment. In example embodiments the first transfer unit may include a second moving device. In example embodiments, the second transfer unit may include a third moving device. In example embodiments the first transfer unit may be configured to receive contents from each compartment of the supply unit and move the contents to the second transfer unit, and the third moving device may be configured to move the contents to the gas chamber.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Example embodiments relate to systems and methods that may be used toconvey, anesthetize, and kill poultry.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years there has been an increasing focus on the ethicaltreatment of animals during a slaughtering process. For many animals,electric shocks are used to anaesthetize the animals before slaughter toensure the animals feel no pain during the slaughtering process. In thecase of poultry, preparation for electric shocks may be stressful. Forexample, some traditional methods of electrocuting poultry includeshackling a bird's feet with metal shackles and suspending the bird bythe shackles with the head down. The anaesthetization process itselftakes place by passing the animal through a salt bath where an electriccurrent passes from the salt bath, through the bird's head and body, andto the shackles. The animals often remain shackled for several minutesprior to electrocution. While this process generally leaves the animalsanaesthetized before slaughter, the anaesthetizing process may causegreat stress to the bird.

Other attempts at stunning animals before slaughter include lowering theanimals in a pit filled with carbon dioxide. U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,848,for example, discloses the use of a pit filled with a stunning gas(carbon dioxide) with varying gas concentrations. However, this systemincludes a relatively complicated belt system to transport poultrythrough the pit which is undesirable.

SUMMARY

The inventor has set out to design an apparatus and method foreuthanizing an animal with an eye towards reducing stress on the animalbefore it is slaughtered. The inventors have also set out to design areliable and simple system for accomplishing the above goals. In exampleembodiments, the method is illustrated as being usable for slaughteringpoultry. The inventive concepts, however, are not intended to be limitedto killing poultry as the inventive concepts may be used to anaesthetizemany types of animals.

In accordance with example embodiments, a system may include a supplyunit, a first transfer unit, a second transfer unit, and a gas chamber.In example embodiments, the supply unit may include a plurality ofcompartments and each compartment may have a moving device configured tomove contents of the compartment from a first end of the compartment toa second end of the compartment. In example embodiments the firsttransfer unit may include a second moving device. In exampleembodiments, the second transfer unit may include a third moving device.In example embodiments the first transfer unit may be configured toreceive contents from each compartment of the supply unit and move thecontents to the second transfer unit, and the third moving device may beconfigured to move the contents to the gas chamber.

In accordance with example embodiments, a method may include theoperations of aligning a receiving end of a first transfer unit with afirst compartment of a supply unit, operating a first moving device inthe first compartment to move a first plurality of articles in the firstcompartment to the first transfer unit, operating a second moving deviceto move the first plurality of articles to a third transfer device,operating a third moving device in the second transfer device to movethe first plurality of articles to a gas chamber, gassing the firstplurality of articles, and aligning the receiving end of the firsttransfer unit with a second compartment of the supply unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments are described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of a system in accordance with example embodiments;

FIGS. 2A-2C are views of a compartment in accordance with exampleembodiments;

FIG. 2D is a view of a composite structure in accordance with exampleembodiments;

FIGS. 2E and 2F are views of a supply unit in accordance with exampleembodiments;

FIGS. 2G-2M are views illustrating opening and closing of various doorsof the supply unit in accordance with example embodiments;

FIGS. 3A-3D are views of a first transfer unit in accordance withexample embodiments;

FIGS. 3E-3G are partial views of the first transfer unit in accordancewith example embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a view of the first transfer unit connected to a secondtransfer unit in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a view of two transfer units connected to the second transferunit in accordance with example embodiments;

FIGS. 6A-6C are views of the supply unit being connected to the firstand second transfer unit and operations thereof in accordance withexample embodiments;

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a method of moving an article from the supplyunit to the second transfer unit in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a view of the second transfer unit, the third transfer unit,and the gas chamber in accordance with example embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a gas chamber, a gas delivery system, anda controller in accordance with example embodiments;

FIGS. 10A-10C are views of a compartment in accordance with exampleembodiments; and

FIG. 11 is a view of a compartment in accordance with exampleembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the inventionare shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different formsand should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes ofcomponents may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element orlayer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,”“directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers,and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/orsection from another elements, component, region, layer, and/or section.Thus, a first element component region, layer or section discussed belowcould be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the structure in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the structure inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the otherelements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompassboth an orientation of above and below. The structure may be otherwiseoriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatiallyrelative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Embodiments described herein will refer to plan views and/orcross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, theviews may be modified depending on manufacturing technologies and/ortolerances. Therefore, example embodiments are not limited to thoseshown in the views, but include modifications in configurations formedon the basis of manufacturing process. Therefore, regions exemplified inthe figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in thefigures exemplify specific shapes or regions of elements, and do notlimit example embodiments.

The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, isdescribed with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject mattermight also be embodied in other ways, to include different features orcombinations of features similar to the ones described in this document,in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, example embodimentsrelate to systems and methods that may be used to convey, anesthetize,and kill poultry.

FIG. 1 is a view of a system 10000 in accordance with exampleembodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10000 may include at leastone supply unit 1000, a first transfer unit 2000, a second transfer unit3000, a gas chamber 4000, a third transfer unit 5000, a fourth transferunit 6000, and a finishing unit 7000. In example embodiments, the system10000 may further include a gas source 8000 and a gas delivery system8100 configured to supply gas from the gas source 8000 to the gaschamber 4000. In example embodiments, an article, for example, a hen,enclosed by the supply unit 1000 may be transferred around the system10000 via the various transfer units and may be gassed by the gaschamber 4000.

In example embodiments, the supply unit 1000 may be configured to storean article, for example, a hen, or a plurality of articles, for example,a plurality of hens. In example embodiments, the supply unit 1000 mayresemble a structure having a plurality of vertically stackedcompartments 10 which may each be configured to store a plurality ofarticles, for example, a plurality of hens. FIGS. 2A-2C are variousviews of a compartment 10 in accordance with example embodiments. Asshown in FIG. 2A, the compartment 10 may resemble a tube shapedstructure having top 20, two side walls 30, and a bottom 35. As shown inFIG. 2A, the tube shaped body may have a substantially rectangular crosssection, however, this is not intended to be a limiting feature ofexample embodiments since the body may have another cross section suchas, but not limited to, a triangular or square cross section. In exampleembodiments, ends of the compartment 10 may include doors and thus mayallow for an article, for example, a hen, to be inserted easily into thecompartment 10. For example, in example embodiments, the compartment 10may have a first door 40 arranged at a first end of the compartment 10and a second door 50 arranged at a second end of the compartment 10.

In example embodiments, the compartment 10 may have a handle 60 arrangedon an outside of the compartment 10. In example embodiments, the handle60 may be configured to rotate the second door 50. As shown in FIG. 2B,the door 50 may be in a closed position when the handle is in a firstposition. However, when the handle 60 is rotated to a second position,as shown in FIG. 2C, the second door 50 may be rotated thus exposing aninside of the compartment 10. Accordingly, in example embodiments,articles may be placed into or taken out of the compartment 10 after anoperator operates the handle 60 to move the second door 50 to the secondposition.

In example embodiments, the compartment 10 may enclose, eithercompletely or partially, a moving device 65 configured to move contentsof the compartment 10 from the first end of the compartment 10 to thesecond end of the compartment 10. In example embodiments, the movingdevice 65 may resemble a belt roller system having a driving roller 90and a driven roller 92. In example embodiments, the driving roller 90may be configured to rotate a belt 70 around the driving roller 90 andthe driven roller 92. The belt roller system may further include aplurality of intermediate rollers 94 which may be configured to supportthe belt 70. The belt roller system may comprise the driving roller 90proximal to the first end of the compartment 10 and another drivingroller 90 proximal the second end of the compartment 10, therebyallowing operation of the belt roller system from either end. In exampleembodiments, however, the intermediate rollers 94 may be replaced by aplate (or a pair of plates) which may be configured to function as asupport floor for the belt 70 or perhaps the rollers 94 are not replacedby any support. Thus, the intermediate rollers 94 may be omitted.

In example embodiments, the driving roller 90 or the driving rollers 90may be connected, either directly or indirectly, to an attachment 80which may be exposed outside of the compartment 10. For example, inexample embodiments the driving roller 90 may be attached directly tothe attachment 80, for example, by welding, or by intermediatestructures such as, but not limited to, pins, nuts and bolts. Inaddition, a gear box or a gear system may be placed between the drivingroller 90 and the attachment 80 so that the driving roller 90 may rotateat a different angular velocity than the attachment 80. Regardless as tohow the driving roller 90 is attached to the attachment 80, the drivingroller 90 may be configured to rotate as the attachment 80 is rotated.Thus, in example embodiments, the driving roller 90 is operativelyconnected to the attachment 80.

In example embodiments, the attachment 80 may be configured to attach toa driving unit (for example, a hand held electric drill) configured torotate the attachment 80 thus causing the driving roller 92 to rotateand move the belt 70. As shown in FIG. 2C, the belt 70 may be operatedso that contents in the compartment 10 are moved to the second end ofthe compartment 10.

Thus far, in example embodiments, articles, for example, hens, may beplaced in the compartment 10 by rotating the doors 40 and/or 50 and thearticles may be retained in the compartment 10 by closing the doors 40and 50 as shown in at least FIG. 2B. In example embodiments, thearticles may be removed from the compartment 10 by turning the handle 60to open the second door 50 and then rotating the driving roller 90 byattaching a driving unit to the attachment 80 and operating the drivingunit. Operation of the driving unit causes the driving roller 90 to turnwhich in turn causes the belt 70 to move which in turn causes contentsof the compartment 10 to move to the second end of the compartment 10.

In example embodiments, the side walls 30 of the compartment 10 may beprovided with apertures or meshing to allow the compartment 10 to bewell ventilated. Proper ventilation may help reduce stress on anyarticles, for example, hens, that may be present in the compartment. Inaddition, a size of the compartment may be configured to allow formultiple articles, for example, multiple hens, to be stored therein. Forexample, the compartment 10 may be configured to fit several articles,for example, about five to six hens, therein Example embodiments,however, are not limited thereto as the compartment 10 may be configuredto house less than five articles or more than six articles. For example,the compartment 10 may be configured to house ten to thirty hen.

FIG. 2D illustrates a plurality of compartments 10 stacked vertically ontop of one another to form a composite structure 100′. In exampleembodiments, the composite structure 100′ may be formed by fabricatingeach compartment 10 separately and then stacking one on top of theother. This, however, is not intended to be a limiting feature ofexample embodiments. For example, a composite structure 100′ may beformed by arranging various sheets, bars, tubes, and rollers system toarrive at a structure which has substantially the same characteristicsas the composite structure 100′ formed by stacking together pre-formedcompartments 10. This latter method may have certain advantages over thefirst method. For example, in the first method, each of theprefabricated compartments may be made with a top 20 and a bottom 35.The top 20 and bottom 35 may provide for separation between adjacentcompartments, however, in example embodiments, the tops 20 and bottoms35 may not be required since the moving devices of each compartment mayprovide for separation between compartments built by the second method.Thus, the latter method may be less expensive than stacking togetherprefabricated compartments 10 since the latter method may not require asmany elements as the first method.

FIGS. 2E and 2F illustrate an example of a supply unit 1000 inaccordance with example embodiments. In this nonlimiting exampleembodiment, the supply unit 1000 may be comprised of themulticompartment composite structure 100′. Although this exampleembodiment illustrates the supply unit 1000 as being comprised of sixcompartments 10, the invention is not limited thereto as the supply unit1000 may include more or less than six compartments. In exampleembodiments, each of the compartments may be substantially similar oridentical to the previously described compartments in that eachcompartment of the supply unit 1000 may include a moving deviceconfigured to move contents of the compartments from a first end thereofto a second end thereof. In example embodiments, the supply unit 1000may further include a pair of retaining bars 110. As will be explainedshortly, the retaining bars 110 may be configured to secure the supplyunit 1000 to the first transfer unit 2000. In addition to the above, thesupply unit 1000 may include fittings such as wheels or rollers to allowthe supply unit 1000 to be easily moved across the ground G or a floor.The supply unit 1000 may be further modified with additional retainingbars 15 which may, for example, prevent the first doors 40 of thecompartments from swinging outward of the supply unit 1000 whileallowing the doors 40 to swing inwards.

FIG. 2G illustrates the supply unit 1000 with each door of eachcompartment closed. FIG. 214 illustrates the supply unit 1000 having thesecond door of the top compartment open so contents of the topcompartment may be moved out of the top compartment by activating thetop compartment's moving device. FIGS. 2H-2M illustrates the othercompartment's doors being opened so articles stored therein may be movedout by operating their respective moving devices. In exampleembodiments, each compartment may be emptied out one at a time byoperating their respective handles and moving devices as shown in thefigures.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the first transfer unit 2000 inaccordance with example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3A, the firsttransfer unit 2000 may have a tube shaped body 2100 which may have asubstantially rectangular cross-section. Example embodiments, however,are not limited thereto as the first transfer unit 2000 may have a body2100 with a different cross-section, for example, a square, triangular,or circular cross-section.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, the first transfer unit 2000 may have a pairof side plates 2300 pin-connected to the body 2100 by a pair offastening members 2350 (only one of which is illustrated in thedrawings) such as, but not limited to, a pair of pins, a pair of rivets,or a pair of bolts. In example embodiments, the pair of side plates 2300may also be pin-connected to a cover plate 2200 by a pair of fasteningmembers 2250 (only one of which is shown in the figures) such as, butnot limited to, a pair of pins, a pair of rivets, or a pair of bolts. Inexample embodiments, the cover plate 2200 may be configured to slidealong a top of the body 2100 to cover a portion of the body 2100. Inexample embodiments, the side plates 2300 may be biased into a homeposition by a biasing member 2600 which may attach to the side plate2300 by a connecting bar 2500. In example embodiments, the firsttransfer unit 2000 may further include a pair of connecting rings 2400.In example embodiments, the connecting rings 2400 may be arrangedadjacent to the pair of retaining bars 110 that may be on the supplyunit 1000. Thus, in example embodiments, a pin passing through the pairof retaining bars 110 and the connecting rings 2400 may couple thesupply unit 1000 to the first transfer unit 2000.

FIGS. 3B-3D illustrate side views of the first transfer unit 2000. InFIG. 3B, the biasing member 2600 may bias the side plates 2300 (andtherefore the cover plate 2200) in a first position (also called a“home” position). However, because the cover plates 2300 are pinconnected to the body 2100, a force F applied to the cover plates 2300may rotate the side plates 2300 backward as shown in FIG. 3C.Application of additional force F+ may cause the side plates 2300 tomove back even further as shown in FIG. 3D. However, in the event theforce is reduced or removed, the side plates 2300 would move back totheir original position under the influence of the biasing member 2600.In example embodiments, the biasing member 2600 may be, but is notlimited to, a spring. In example embodiments, the first transfer unit2000 may further include a bracket 2700 which may allow the firsttransfer unit 2000 to attach to a supporting structure.

FIGS. 3E-3G illustrate side views of the first transfer unit 2000 withvarious elements removed to expose an inside thereof. As shown in FIGS.3E-3G, the first transfer unit 2000 further includes a moving device2920 that may be configured to move an article along the body 2100 ofthe first transfer unit 2000. In example embodiments, the moving device2920 may include a driving roller 2900 or more than one driving roller20—spaced apart, a driven roller 2910, and, optionally, a plurality ofintermediate rollers between the driving roller 2900 and the drivenroller 2910 (noting the driven roller 2910 is arranged at the receivingend of the first transfer unit 2000). In example embodiments, the movingdevice 2920 may further include a belt 2800 which may be moved byrotation of the driving roller 2900. As in the previous example, theintermediate rollers may not be necessary in example embodiments sincethe intermediate rollers may be replaced by plates, for example, metalplates. In example embodiments, the driving roller 2900 may be attachedto a motor (not shown) or another actuating device (not shown, forexample, a belt driven by a motor), however, since such an arrangementis well known in the art, a description thereof is omitted for the sakeof brevity

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the first transfer unit 2000 and the secondtransfer unit 3000 in accordance with example embodiments. As shown inFIG. 4, the second transfer unit 3000 may enclose a third moving device3100 which, as will be explained later, may be a belt-roller typesystem. As shown in FIG. 4, the first transfer unit 2000 may bepin-connected to a side of the second transfer unit 3000 via the bracket2700. In example embodiments, the first transfer unit 2000 may beconnected to the second transfer unit 3000 by a structure such as, butnot limited to, a bolt or a pin. In addition, an actuator 3500 may alsoconnect the first transfer unit 2000 to the second transfer unit 3000.In example embodiments, the first transfer unit 2000 may be revolvedaround the bracket 2700 as the actuator 3500 is expanded or retracted.In example embodiments, the actuator 3500 may be, but is not limited to,a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

FIG. 5 illustrates another transfer unit 2000′ attached to a second sideof second transfer unit 3000. In example embodiments the transfer unit2000′ may be substantially the same as the first transfer unit 2000,thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 6A illustrates the supply unit 1000 arranged next to the firsttransfer unit 2000. In example embodiments, the supply unit 1000 may bepushed towards the first transfer unit 2000 until holes of theconnecting rings 2400 are aligned with a space defined by the retainingbars 110 as shown in FIG. 6B. At this point, a pin may be passed throughspace defined by the retaining bars 110 and the holes of the connectingrings 2400 in order to slidingly attach the supply unit 1000 to thefirst transfer unit 2000 as shown in FIG. 6B. Once connected, operationof the actuator 3500 will rotate the first transfer unit 2000 such thata receiving end of the first transfer unit 2000 remains adjacent thesecond ends of the compartments of the supply unit 1000 as shown in FIG.6C.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate operations of unloading objects from the supplyunit 1000 to the second transfer unit 3000 via the first transfer unit2000. In FIGS. 7A-7C certain portions of the supply unit 1000, the firsttransfer unit 2000, and the second transfer unit 3000 are removed forpurposes of illustration only. As shown in FIG. 7A, a lowermostcompartment of the supply unit 1000 may be unloaded by rotating a handle60 controlling the second door 50 of the lower most compartment. Oncethe second door of the lowermost compartment is opened, a user mayattach a driving unit to the attachment 80 of the lower most compartmentin order to energize the moving device 65 of the lower most compartmentto move the contents therein to the second end of the lowermostcompartment. At this stage, the contents are transferred to the movingdevice 2920 of the first transfer device 2000 to move the contents alongthe first transfer device 2000 to the second transfer device 3000 wherethe contents are carried out of the second transfer device 3000 by thethird moving device 3100. In example embodiments, the handle 60 may berotated backwards to close the second door 50 and the actuator 3500 maybe operated to rotate the first transfer device 2000 so that an entranceof the first transfer device 2000 is substantially in line with thesecond lower most compartment as shown in FIG. 7B. At this point, anoperator may open the second door 50 of the second lowermost compartmentby rotating the handle 60 of the second lower most compartment. Once thesecond door of the second lowermost compartment is opened, a user mayattach a driving unit to the attachment 80 of the second lower mostcompartment in order to energize the moving device 65 of the secondlower most compartment to move the contents therein to the second end ofthe second lowermost compartment. At this stage, the contents aretransferred to the moving device 2920 of the first transfer unit 2000 tomove the contents along the first transfer unit 2000 to the secondtransfer unit 3000 where the contents are carried out of the secondtransfer unit 3000 by the third moving device 3100. In exampleembodiments, the handle 60 of the second lowermost compartment may berotated backwards to close the second door 50 of the second lower mostcompartment. This process may be repeated until each of the compartmentsof the supply unit 1000 are emptied.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the second transfer unit 3000, the gaschamber 4000, the third transfer unit 5000, and the fourth transfer unit6000. As shown in at least FIG. 8, the second transfer unit 3000, thegas chamber 4000, and the third transfer unit 5000 may be arrangedside-by-side and the moving device 3100 may move articles from thesecond transfer unit 3000 through the gas chamber 4000 and through thethird transfer unit 5000 to the fourth transfer unit 6000. In exampleembodiments, the moving device 3100 may be a roller belt type system.For example, in example embodiments, the moving device 3100 may includea driving roller 3110 and a driven roller 3120 about which a belt 3130may be wrapped. In example embodiments, the driving roller 3110 may beattached to a motor which causes the driving roller 3100 to turn thuscausing the belt 3130 to move around the driven roller 3120. In exampleembodiments, articles received by the second transfer unit 3000 from thefirst transfer unit 2000 may be moved through each of the secondtransfer unit 3000, the gas chamber 4000, and the third transfer unit5000 by the third moving device 3100. The invention is not intended tobe limited by the instant embodiment. For example, in exampleembodiments, 3120 may be the driving roller and 3110 may be the drivenroller. In the alternative, rather than having one moving deviceconfigured to move an article through each of the second transfer unit3000, the gas chamber 4000, and the third transfer unit 5000, separatemoving devices for each of the second transfer unit 3000, the gaschamber 4000, and the third moving device 5000 may be used.

Referring to at least FIG. 8, it is observed the gas chamber 4000 may becomprised of multiple chambers. For example, in FIG. 8 the gas chamber4000 is illustrated as being comprised of a first chamber 4100, a secondchamber 4200, and a third chamber 4300. Although a gas chamber 4000comprised of three chambers is illustrated in example embodiments, theinvention is not limited thereto. For example, in example embodiments,the gas chamber 4000 may be comprised of only a single chamber, twochambers, or more than three chambers.

In example embodiments, partitions may be provided to form the variouschambers in the gas chamber. For example, in FIG. 8, a first partition4120 and a second partition 4130 may define the first chamber 4100, thesecond partition 4120 and a third partition 4220 may define the secondchamber 4200, and the third partition 4220 and a fourth partition 4320may define the third chamber 4300. In example embodiments, thepartitions may be made from a resilient material, for example, a plasticmaterial, or a plurality of plastic materials, that deform to allow thearticles to pass through and then return to their undeformed state. Inthe alternative, the partitions may be made from a canvas type materialor strips of canvas to allow the articles to pass therethrough.

In example embodiments, each of the first, second, and third chambers4100, 4200, and 4300 may include an inlet port through which a gas maybe received. For example, in example embodiments, the first chamber 4100may include a first inlet port 4110, the second chamber 4200 may includea second inlet second port 4210, and the third chamber 4300 may includea third inlet port 4310. In example embodiments, each of the first,second, and third ports 4110, 4210, and 4310 may be configured toreceive a gas from the gas source 8000 via the gas delivery system 8100which may include a controller 8150 configured to control a flow of gasfrom the gas source 8000 to the first, second, and third chambers 4100,4200, and 4300. In example embodiments, the chambers 4100, 4200 and 4300are made water-tight to keep the gas from sinking through any seams oropening in the surface of the chamber. Depending on the depth of thechamber, the upper part of said chamber may not require any sealingsince most gases of utility for this invention are heavier than air.

In example embodiments, various sensors may be placed in each of thechambers of the gas chamber 4000. For example, as shown in at least FIG.9, in example embodiments, the first chamber 4100 may include a firstsensor 8153 configured to sense a level of gas, for example, carbondioxide, in the first chamber 4100, the second chamber 4200 may includea second sensor 8155 configured to sense a level of gas, for example,carbon dioxide, in the second chamber 4200, and the third chamber 4300may include a third sensor 8157 configured to sense a level of gas, forexample, carbon dioxide, in the third chamber 4300. The controller 8150may interface with each of the sensors 8153, 8155, and 8157 in order todetermine the level of gas, for example, carbon dioxide, is in eachchamber and to determine how much gas from the gas source 8000 should beadded to each chamber. Though not shown in the figures, the sensors8153, 8155, and 8157 may be connected to the controller 8150 (which maybe a computer) either wirelessly or with wires which is well known inthe art.

Referring to FIG. 9, it is observed the controller 8150 may also beconnected to a plurality of solenoid valves 8253, 8255, and 8257 tocontrol a flow of gas from the gas source 8000 to the first, second, andthird chambers 4100, 4200, and 4300. For example, in exampleembodiments, the gas source 8000 may be connected to the first solenoidvalve 8253 by a first hose 8053, the second solenoid valve 8255 by asecond hose 8055, and the third solenoid valve 8257 by a third hose8057. In example embodiments, the first sensor 8153 may detect aconcentration of a gas, for example, carbon dioxide, in the firstchamber 4100 and the controller 8150 may control the solenoid valve 8253to open or close based on the concentration of gas detected by the firstsensor 8153. In example embodiments, the second sensor 8155 may detect aconcentration of a gas, for example, carbon dioxide, in the secondchamber 4200 and the controller 8150 may control the solenoid valve 8255to open or close based on the concentration of gas detected by thesecond sensor 8155. In example embodiments, the third sensor 8157 maydetect a concentration of a gas, for example, carbon dioxide, in thethird chamber 4300 and the controller 8150 may control the solenoidvalve 8257 to open or close based on the concentration of gas detectedby the third sensor 8157.

As noted above, the controller 8150 may be configured to control a flowof gas to each of the chambers 4100, 4200, and 4300 so that aconcentration of gas in the chambers resides within a predetermined orpreset level. For example, in example embodiments, the gas may be carbondioxide and the level of carbon dioxide in the first chamber 4100 may beabout 20%, the concentration of gas in the second chamber 4200 may bebetween about 20% and about 30%, and the concentration of gas in thethird chamber 4300 may be about 50%. In example embodiments, theinventors found these gas concentrations are particularly useful instunning and euthanizing poultry. For example, when poultry is exposedto carbon dioxide gas at about 20% the poultry becomes very calm. Whenthe calmed poultry is exposed to carbon dioxide gas from about 20% toabout 30% concentration the poultry become anesthetized. When theanesthetized poultry is exposed to carbon dioxide gas at about 50%concentration, the poultry dies. Thus, in example embodiments, theinstant apparatus and method allows for a relatively quick and painlessdeath for poultry which is desirable.

Inventors have found that a particularly useful nonlimiting exampleembodiment of the invention encompasses a gas chamber 4000 wherein eachof the chambers 4100, 4200, and 4300 have a length of about four feet.For example, the first chamber 4100 may have a length L1 of about fourfeet, the second chamber 4200 may have a length L2 of about 4 feet, andthe third chamber 4300 may have a length L3 of about four feet. In thisparticular geometry, the belt speed of the belt 3100 is such that itadvances articles, such as poultry, about six feet per minute. Such anexposure has been found useful in calming, anaesthetizing and killingpoultry. Example embodiments, however are not limited thereto as thelengths L1, L2, and L3 may be different from each other and the beltspeed is not required to be six feet per minute. For example, in theevent the gas chamber 4000 were used to kill larger animals, the beltspeed may be slowed down and/or the lengths L1, L2, and L3 may beincreased.

In example embodiments, after the articles leave the gas chamber 4000the articles may be transported to the fourth transfer unit 6000 via thethird transfer unit 5000. Once in the fourth transfer unit 6000 a movingdevice 6100 may move the articles to the finishing unit 7000 which maybe a device such as, but not limited to, a grinder.

Example embodiments provide an apparatus 10000 and method fortransporting and gassing an article. In example embodiments, the articlemay be a hen or a plurality of hens. Referring back to FIG. 1, theapparatus 10000 may have a substantially T-shape comprised of a firstsupply unit 1000, a first transfer unit 2000, a second supply unit 1000′(which may be substantially identical to the first supply unit 1000), asecond first transfer unit 2000′ (which may be substantially identicalto the first transfer unit 2000), a second transfer unit 3000 configuredto receive articles (for example, hens) from the first transfer unit2000 and the second first transfer unit 2000′, and transport thearticles to a gas chamber 4000 for the purpose of gassing the articles.In the event the articles are hens, the hens may be euthanized in apainless and quick manner as described above.

In example embodiments, gas is used to lull, anesthetize, and kill ananimal, such as a hen. In example embodiments, carbon dioxide has beenused as an example of a gas that may be used for the above purpose.However, the invention is not limited thereto as other gases, such asargon or nitrogen may be used in lieu of carbon dioxide or in additionto carbon dioxide.

In example embodiments, the system 10000 may be used to collect andeuthanize animals. For example, a nonlimiting example of using thesystem may include the steps of: 1) placing hens in the supply unit1000; 2) moving the supply unit 1000 to the first transfer unit 2000; 3)linking together the supply unit 1000 and the first transfer unit 2000with a linking member such as, but not limited to, a pin; 3) using adriving unit (for example, a hand held electric drill) to cause variousmoving systems within the supply unit 1000 to move the hens to the firsttransfer unit 2000; 4) using the first transfer unit 2000 to transferthe hens to the second transfer unit 3000; 5) using the second transferunit 3000 to move the hens to a gassing chamber 4000; and 6) gassing thehens to calm, anesthetize, and kill the hens.

FIG. 10A illustrates another example of a compartment 10′ in accordancewith example embodiments. FIGS. 10B and 10C illustrate cross-sections ofthe compartment 10′. In example embodiments, the compartment 10′ may besubstantially similar to the compartment 10 and thus may be used in lieuof the compartment 10 in constructing the first supply unit 1000. Likethe compartment 10, compartment 10′ may resemble a tube shaped structurehaving top 20′, two side walls 30′, and a bottom 35′. As shown in FIG.10A, the tube shaped body may have a substantially rectangular crosssection, however, this is not intended to be a limiting feature ofexample embodiments since the body may have another cross section suchas, but not limited to, a triangular or square cross section. In exampleembodiments, ends of the compartment 10′ may include doors and thus mayallow for an article, for example, a hen, to be inserted easily into thecompartment 10′. For example, in example embodiments, the compartment10′ may have a first door 40′ arranged at a first end of the compartment10′ and a second door 50′ arranged at a second end of the compartment10′.

In example embodiments, the compartment 10′ may have a handle 60′arranged on an outside of the compartment 10′. In example embodiments,the handle 60′ may be configured to rotate the second door 50′. As shownin FIG. 10B, the door 50′ may be in a closed position when the handle60′ is in a first position. However, when the handle 60′ is rotated to asecond position, as shown in FIG. 10C, the second door 50′ may berotated thus exposing an inside of the compartment 10′. Accordingly, inexample embodiments, articles may be placed into or taken out of thecompartment 10′ after an operator operates the handle 60′ to move thesecond door 50′ to the second position.

In example embodiments, the compartment 10′ may enclose, eithercompletely or partially, a moving device 65′ configured to move contentsof the compartment 10′ from the first end of the compartment 10′ to thesecond end of the compartment 10′. In example embodiments, the movingdevice 65′ may resemble a belt roller system having a driving roller 90′and a driven roller 92′. In example embodiments, the driving roller 90′may be configured to rotate a belt 70′ around the driving roller 90′ andthe driven roller 92′. The belt roller system may further include aplurality of intermediate rollers 94′ which may be configured to supportthe belt 70′. In example embodiments, however, the intermediate rollers94′ may be replaced by a plate (or a pair of plates) which may beconfigured to function as a support floor for the belt 70′. Thus, theintermediate rollers 94′ may be omitted.

In example embodiments, the driving roller 90′ may include a receivingsurface 91′ which may be configured to receive a portion of a handhelddevice, for example, a drill, via a hole 80′ that may be formed in theside 30′ as illustrated in FIG. 10A. For example, in example embodimentsthe receiving surface may 91′ may resemble a surface associated with acavity having a hexagonal cross section. In this particular nonlimitingexample, a hex key bit connected to a drill may be inserted into thereceiving surface 91′ so that when the drill is operated the drivingroller 90′ rotates. As shown in FIG. 10C, the belt 70′ may be operatedso that contents in the compartment 10′ are moved to the second end ofthe compartment 10′.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example of a compartment 10″ in accordancewith example embodiments. Because the compartment 10″ may besubstantially similar to the compartment 10, the compartment 10″ may beused in lieu of compartment 10 to form the first supply unit 1000. Likecompartment 10, the compartment 10″ includes a first door 40″, a seconddoor 50″ arranged at ends of a tube shaped body having two sidewalls, atop and a bottom 35″. Like the compartment 10, the compartment 10″ alsoincludes a moving device 65″ having a driving roller 90″, a drivenroller 92″, and a belt 70″. In example embodiments, the driving roller90″ may be driven by a hand held device, such as a drill, by way of anattachment or a receiving surface as has been described previously. Inthe compartment 10″ however, there are no intermediate rollers betweenthe driving roller 90″ and the driven roller 92″. Instead a pair ofplates 95″ and 96″ are provided around which the belt 70″ rotates. Thetop plate 95″ may serve as a support floor for articles, for example,hens, that may be in the compartment 10″.

Example embodiments of the invention have been described in anillustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology thathas been used is intended to be in the nature of words of descriptionrather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of exampleembodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore,within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described.

What we claim is:
 1. A system for euthanizing a plurality of animals,the system comprising: a supply unit including a plurality ofcompartments, each compartment having a moving device configured to movecontents of the compartment from a first end of the compartment to asecond end of the compartment; a first transfer unit including a secondmoving device; a second transfer unit including a third moving device;and a gas chamber, wherein the first transfer unit is configured toreceive contents from each compartment of the supply unit and move thecontents to the second transfer unit, and the third moving device isconfigured to move the contents to the gas chamber.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising: a gas delivery system configured to supplygas to the gas chamber.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the gaschamber includes a plurality of chambers, and the gas delivery systemincludes a controller and a plurality of sensors.
 4. The system of claim3, wherein the plurality of chambers includes a first chamber, a secondchamber, and a third chamber, and the plurality of sensors includes afirst sensor in the first chamber, a second sensor in the secondchamber, and a third sensor in the third chamber.
 5. The system of claim4, wherein the controller is configured to control gas to the firstchamber so the first chamber has a gas concentration in a first rangeadequate to lull most of the plurality of animals, control gas to thesecond chamber so the second chamber has a gas concentration in a secondrange adequate to anesthetize, but not euthanize, most of the pluralityof animals, and control gas to the third chamber section so the thirdchamber has a gas concentration in a third range adequate to euthanizethe plurality of animals.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the gas iscarbon dioxide.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first range isabout 10% to about 20%, the second range is about 20% to about 30%, andthe third range is about 30% and above.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein the contents is poultry.
 9. The system of claim 2, furthercomprising a gas source.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:a first actuator configured to rotate the first transfer unit to eachexit of the supply unit.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the firstactuator is a hydraulic cylinder.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of compartments are vertically stacked.
 13. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a third transfer unit including a fourthmoving device, wherein the third transfer unit is configured to receivecontents from a second supply unit and transfer contents from the secondsupply unit to the second transfer unit.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the first and third transfer units are substantially inline withone another.
 15. A method for euthanizing animals comprising: aligning areceiving end of a first transfer unit with a first compartment of asupply unit; operating a first moving device in the first compartment tomove a first plurality of articles in the first compartment to the firsttransfer unit; operating a second moving device in the first transferunit to move the first plurality of articles to a second transfer unit;operating a third moving device in the second transfer device to movethe first plurality of articles to a gas chamber; subjecting the firstplurality of articles to a gas; and aligning the receiving end of thefirst transfer unit with a second compartment of the supply unit. 16.The method of claim 15, further comprising: linking the supply unit tothe first transfer unit.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:monitoring a first concentration of gas in a first chamber of the gaschamber and controlling the first concentration of gas to be within afirst range; monitoring a second concentration of gas in a secondchamber of the gas chamber and controlling the second concentration ofgas to be within a second range; and monitoring a third concentration ofgas in a third chamber of the gas chamber and controlling the thirdconcentration of gas to be within a third range.
 18. The method of claim15, wherein aligning the receiving end of the first transfer device withthe second compartment includes rotating the first transfer device. 19.The method of claim 18, wherein rotating the first transfer deviceincludes operating an actuator.
 20. The method of claim 15, whereinoperating the first moving device in the first compartment to move thefirst plurality of articles in the first compartment includes attachinga hand held driving unit to an attachment operatively attach to thefirst moving device.
 21. A multi-compartment cart comprised of: a firstcompartment enclosing a first conveying system configured to conveyarticles within the first compartment from a first end of the firstcompartment to a second end of the first compartment; and a secondcompartment on the first compartment, the second compartment enclosing asecond conveying system configured to convey articles within the secondcompartment from a first end of the second compartment to a second endof the second compartment.
 22. The multi-compartment cart of claim 21,further comprising: a first door at the first end of the firstcompartment; a second door at the second end of the first compartment; athird door at the first end of the second compartment; and a fourth doorat the second end of the second compartment.
 23. The multi-compartmentcart of claim 22, wherein the first conveying system includes a firstdriving roller and a first driven roller and the first driving roller isconfigured to rotate under the influence of a handheld device; and thesecond conveying system includes a second driving roller and a seconddriven roller and the second driving roller is configured to rotateunder the influence of the handheld device.
 24. The multi-compartmentcart of claim 23, wherein the first conveying system includes a firstattachment on an outside of the first compartment, the first attachmentbeing configured to interface with the handheld device such that whenthe handheld device interfaces with the first attachment the firstconveying system conveys the articles within the first compartment fromthe first end of the first compartment to the second end of the firstcompartment, and the second conveying system includes a secondattachment on an outside of the second compartment, the secondattachment being configured to interface with the handheld device suchthat when the handheld device interfaces with the second attachment thesecond conveying system conveys the articles within the secondcompartment from the first end of the second compartment to the secondend of the second compartment.
 25. The multi-compartment cart of claim23, wherein the first driven roller includes a receiving surface toreceive a portion of the handheld device such that when the handhelddevice interfaces with the receiving surface of the first driven rollerthe first conveying system conveys the articles within the firstcompartment from the first end of the first compartment to the secondend of the first compartment, and the second driven roller includes areceiving surface to receive a portion of the handheld device such thatwhen the handheld device interfaces with the receiving surface of thesecond driven roller the second conveying system conveys the articleswithin the second compartment from the first end of the secondcompartment to the second end of the second compartment.